Crisis as favourites snub Beeb’s big awards night
BBC SPORTS Personality of the Year is in crisis – with guests either refusing to go or facing cheat claims.
Motor racing champ Lewis Hamilton has already refused to attend the bash, while doubts remain over Sir Mo Farah and Chris Froome.
Under-fire cyclist Froome will not be at tomorrow’s event and is facing a potential ban over a failed drugs test.
He was expected to take part via a video link, but the four-time Tour de France winner is now a doubt to appear. Yesterday Froome was branded a “slithering reptile” by the wife of ex team-mate Sir Bradley Wiggins.
Catherine Wiggins said the news about Froome made her feel “sick”.
The mum-of-two added: “If I was given to conspiracy theory I’d allege they’d thrown my boy under the bus on purpose to cover for this slithering reptile.” She later apologised for the comments.
F1 driver Hamilton is also expected to snub the awards show. Earlier this year he was accused of avoiding a £3.3million tax bill on his imported £16.5m jet.
Four-time Olympic champ Farah is also expected to miss the event due to family commitments.
But world heavyweight boxing champ Anthony Joshua, who is hot favourite for the award, is expected to attend.
It is not the first year the BBC has faced criticism over guests on the show. Two years ago it was slammed for placing boxer Tyson Fury on the shortlist after he made a series of sexist comments.